Bancroft Community Transit Multi-Year Accessibility Plan
Adopted November 18, 2025
1. The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act
The Accessibility of Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA) is a law passed by the Ontario legislature that allows the government to develop specific standards of accessibility and to enforce them. The standards are made into laws called regulations, and they provide the details to help meet the goal of the AODA. The AODA is the foundation on which the standards are built. The purpose of developing and implementing accessibility standards is to identify, remove and prevent barriers for people with disabilities in key areas of daily living. To meet the goal of a fully accessible transit organization, as required in the Act, we must the establish, implement, and maintain a Multi-Year Accessibility Plan that outlines the our strategy to prevent and remove barriers.
2. Integrated Accessibility Standards, O. Reg 191/11
The Integrated Accessibility Standards, or IASR, is a provincial regulation governed by the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act. It establishes the accessibility standards for each of the defined areas: Information and Communication, Transportation, The Design of Public Spaces; and Customer Service 2 Regulation 191/11: Integrated Accessibility Standards under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA) requires that a public sector organization with over fifty employees, create a multi-year accessibility plan, update them once every five years and post the plan. The requirements set out in the IASR do not replace or substitute the requirements established under the Human Rights Code nor do the standards limit any obligations owed to persons with disabilities under any other legislation.
*To note BCT has less than 50 employees.
3. Commitment to Accessibility
Bancroft Community Transit (BCT)) values the contributions of all residents and visitors and believes that these contributions have enhanced our community spirit. We are committed to building an inclusive society and providing an accessible environment in which all individuals have access to our programs and services in a way that respects the dignity and independence of persons with disabilities. BCT supports the goals of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act and will establish policies, practices, and procedures that are consistent with the accessibility standards established under the AODA, including accessible customer service, information and communication, employment, transportation, and the built environment.
Dignity—Service is provided in a way that allows persons with disabilities to maintain self-respect and the respect of others.
Independence—All people are allowed to do things on their own without unnecessary help or interference from others.
Integration—Service is provided in a way that all persons with disabilities can benefit from the same services, in the same place, and in the same or similar way as other customers unless an alternate measure is necessary to enable persons with disabilities to access goods or services.
Equal Opportunity—Service is provided to persons with disabilities in such a way that they have an opportunity to access goods and services equal to that given to others. BCT will continue to prevent barriers by promoting inclusivity and supporting positive approaches that address attitudes which undervalue and restrict the potential of persons with disabilities. In working toward its goals under this statement, BCT is committed to meeting the requirements of existing legislation and to its own policies and goals related to the identification, removal, and prevention of barriers to people with disabilities and becoming a barrier-free community.
4. Definition of a Barrier
The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act defines a barrier as anything that prevents a person with a disability from fully participating in all aspects of society because of their disability, including a physical barrier, an architectural barrier, an information or communication barrier, an attitudinal barrier, a technological barrier, a policy, or a practice.
5. Definition of a Disability
The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act states that a disability means:
a) Any degree of physical disability infirmity, malformation or disfigurement that is caused by bodily injury, birth defect or illness and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, includes diabetes mellitus, epilepsy, a brain injury, any degree of paralysis, amputation, lack of physical coordination, blindness or visual impediment, deafness or hearing impairment, muteness or speech impediment, or physical reliance on a guide dog or other animal or on a wheelchair or other remedial appliance or device.
b) A condition of mental impairment or a developmental disability.
c) A learning disability, or a dysfunction in one or more of the processes involved in understanding or using symbols or spoken language.
d) A mental disorder; or
e) An injury or disability for which benefits were claimed or received under the insurance plan under the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997.
6. BCT’s Multi-Year Accessibility Plan – Strategies and Actions
The Multi-Year Accessibility Plan lays out how we will make the community more accessible for both residents and visitors. This plan will be updated every five years, with progress reports being created annually. Information and Communication Standards. We will create, provide, and receive information and communications in ways that are accessible to people with disabilities, where practicable. If the municipality determines that it is not technically feasible to convert the information/communications, or does not have the technology available to convert the information/communication, BCT will be obligated to provide the person that requires the information with:
An explanation as to why the information/communications are unconvertable; and
A summary of the unconvertible information/communication.
Feedback: BCT has a process in place for receiving and responding to feedback and will ensure that those processes are provided in an accessible format and with communication supports, upon request. BCT will notify the public about the availability of accessible formats and communication supports.
Emergency Procedure, Plans and Public Safety Information: When BCT prepares or updates emergency procedures, plans or public safety information, Administration will make the information available to the public as soon as practicable. BCT shall provide information in an accessible format or with the appropriate communication supports, as soon as practicable, upon request.
Accessible Websites and Web Content: BCT shall ensure that website and web content comply with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 Level AA within legislated timelines in accordance with Ministry guidance. Person First Language Person First Language is a linguistic prescription that recommends that people place the emphasis on the person before the diagnosis, describing what a person has, rather than what a person is. By carefully constructing language to avoid marginalization or dehumanization, language becomes more egalitarian and treats everyone with the dignity and respect they deserve as a person.
Example of Person First Language include:
Person with a disability
Person without a disability
Person with an intellectual, cognitive, and/or developmental disability
Person who uses a wheelchair
Person with epilepsy or seizure disorder
Accessible parking or accessible washroom
Transit: BCT has two public bus stops located within the Town of Bancroft. Both bus stops meet the goal of accessibility. We strive to offer the same opportunity for members of the public to access municipal goods using all reasonable efforts, regardless of disability, in similar or alternative formats. BCT will review the policies annually. BCT will be developing a new website and will be creating new guidelines for semi-annual training. The content of the training will include:
A review of the purpose of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005
The requirements of the Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation, O. Reg. 191/11, under the Act.
Responsibilities under the Human Rights Code, 1990.
Instruction on BCT’s policies procedure and practices pertaining to the provision of goods and services to persons with disabilities.
How to interact and communicate with persons with various types of disabilities.
What to do if a person with a particular type of disability is having difficulty accessing transit
How to interact with persons with disabilities who use assistive devices or who require the assistance of a support person or service animal; and
Information about the equipment or assistive devices available on transit
BCT will ensure that it abides by the dictates of the Accessible Customer Service Standards Policy with regards to the timeline and associated records regarding training of staff.
Feedback: BCT is committed to providing high quality transportation services to all members of the public. Feedback from the public is welcomed and required, as it assists BCT in identifying any areas that may require change or improvement. The public can provide feedback on the accessibility of transit by BCT either by phone or in writing, plus BCT will schedule regular training for both new and existing employees on the AODA legislation and the customer service standards. BCT will also hold annual meetings for the public to provide input for its transit service.